UEFA Champions League Match Preview
When the anointed Champions of Europe will meet the team that they defeated to get their hands on the LA DECIMA, the rivalry between the two Madrid teams will took a new turn in its long and illustrious history. While the memoirs of last season would be fresh in the minds of both managers, there would be little separating their teams once the final whistle will be blown.
While they say that victory requires payment in advance, the LOS BLANCOS will be entering into this fixture as the favorites. While the margin separating both teams is little – both in Europe as well as in the domestic level, the on-paper avarice of the Real Madrid team makes them the pick of the odds for this fixture.
Looking at the other side of the picture and with no disrespect to the on-paper superiority of the Real Madrid team, Vicente Calderon will serve them one hell of a 90-minutes during the game. While a Champions League quarter final is enough to get the best out of the players, the revenge factor of last season’s Champions League final will take it to an even higher level for Diego Simeone and his men.
Thus, with everything to lose and pride at stake, Atletico Madrid would be hoping to slash the odds on Tuesday.
Team News
Looking at the team of Real Madrid that featured in a 3-0 win against Eibar, it is safe to say that a few changes are expected in the starting 11. With Gareth Bale is included in the squad after missing the last one, the fitness of the Welshman is still a doubt.
While the midfield duo of James Rodriguez and Toni Kroos sat out at the weekend, they are both expected to return back into the starting 11 after serving a negligible spell on the sidelines. While he wasn’t fit enough to make it in the starting 11 for Real Madrid at the weekend, Pepe has been able to get rid of his injury in time to feature in the starting 11.
While the form of Atletico Madrid in LA Liga hasn’t been great this season in their title defense, it has nothing to do with injuries. With only 2 players on the sidelines, both of which are expected to come back in this match, Atletico Madrid will feature in this match unscathed as far as the injuries are concerned.
Stats:
• Atletico Madrid have lost only 1 of their last 8 fixtures against Real Madrid, winning 4 in the process
• Against the Spanish teams in Europe, Real Madrid have only lost 1 of their last 7 games
• Atletico Madrid have conceded the lowest amount of goals in the UEFA Champions League this season (10)
• In their last 6 matches against the Spanish sides in Europe, Atletico Madrid have lost none, winning 5 in the process.
• Real Madrid have scored 21-goals in Champions League this season, only Bayern Munich have scored more.
Probable Lineups:
Real Madrid
Casillas – Pepe – Ramos – Marcelo – Carjaval – Kroos – Modric – Rodriguez – Ronaldo – Benzema – Isco
Atletico Madrid
Oblak – Gimenez – Miranda – Juanfran – Gamez – Turan – Gabi – Suarez – Koke – Mandzukic – Griezmann
Atletico Madrid Vs Real Madrid: Probable lineups, Stats, Team News
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